Sturt’s Murrumbidgee – MacCabe Corner – Murray Mouth Expedition with Trent and Ron Moon
15 Days / 14 Nights | 8 – 22 March 2026
Camden → Goolwa
Retrace Charles Sturt’s legendary 1830 river journey — from the Murrumbidgee’s headwaters to the sea.
This exciting trip loosely follows the route of Charles Sturt’s 1830 expedition down the Murrumbidgee River to the Murray and onwards to the sea.
Our journey begins in the historic township of Camden, located just south of Sydney in the delightful Southern Highlands of NSW. Initially following backroads, gravel roads and forestry trails, the route winds through magnificent red-gum forests and national parks little changed since Sturt’s day.
In western NSW, we’ll spend a couple of days camping and exploring the surprising history and landscapes of Yanga National Park — once, from the 1830s until 2007, the largest pastoral property in New South Wales.
Further west, we camp where the Murrumbidgee meets the Murray, the same junction where Sturt and his men were swept into “a broad and noble river.”
Crossing into South Australia near Border Cliffs, we’ll step aboard luxury Custom House Houseboats for three unforgettable nights, cruising upstream by tinny to the hard-to-reach MacCabe Corner — the exact point where NSW, SA and VIC meet. Here, the South Australian border makes a curious dogleg — a quirk of early survey errors and the evolving technology of the day. The Privy Council and High Court cases that followed went on to define every state border in Australia.
Turning south at the historic Overland Corner Hotel, built in 1859 and still serving cold beer and hearty meals, we follow the river toward its end. Near the coastal township of Goolwa, we take to the sand for a beach run to the Murray Mouth, standing where the inland waters finally flow into the Southern Ocean. We’ll raise a glass to Sturt and his men who, when their supply ship failed to appear, were forced to row all the way back upstream.
This expedition celebrates two of Australia’s most important waterways — the Murrumbidgee and the Murray — through an ever-changing mosaic of vibrant country, rich history and wild beauty.
It’s an exhilarating journey of exploration, camaraderie and discovery, tracing the footsteps of one of Australia’s great explorers through the heartland of inland Australia.
🚐 Big Vans. Big Adventure!
🚙 Towing a Larger Van? No Worries.
This route was designed with off-road touring rigs in mind.
We welcome dual-axle hybrid caravans and off-road camper trailers of all types — larger AOR Aurora, Lifestyle R4, Track T4, and similar.
Full-width off-road caravans are not out of the question — just get in touch with us to discuss your setup.
Designed for travellers who love their creature comforts but aren’t afraid of a little dust, this journey delivers scenic touring, off-grid camps, and outback adventure in true Moon Tours style.
👋 Not sure if your setup’s suitable?
If you’re towing something similar or just want to double-check your configuration, get in touch — we’ll happily assess your setup and make sure you’re confident before rolling out.
🧭 Two fully-equipped Moon Tours support vehicles, experienced guides, Starlink connectivity and on-tour mechanical support mean you can travel with total confidence.
